Authorities are yet to confirm the origin of the devastating fire that engulfed several multi-storey buildings at Nanda Kumar Lane in the Churihatta area of Chawkbazar, Old Dhaka on Wednesday night.
Fire service sources said the cause of the blaze will be ascertained following a thorough investigation, with witnesses having given differing versions of the incident. However, one aspect on which all witnesses agreed was how the fire spread.
The flames swept through the narrow streets at breakneck speeds, like a wave, scarcely giving bystanders time to run for their lives.
Wahid Mansion, the building nearest the suspected origin point of the fire, contained a perfume warehouse on the first floor, as well as mobile accessories and plastic product shops on the ground floor, according to Munna, who owned an office in the building.
“Just before the fire started, most of the shops were closing up. As there is going to be a three-day holiday due to February 21, the road was packed with trucks loading goods and other vehicles,” he said. “Suddenly, we heard an explosion. When we went outside, all we saw was a wave of fire.”
Mizanur Rahman, another witness, said the fire had spread through the entire street in just 15 seconds. A number of people were consumed by the inferno before they could realize what had happened. “I barely managed to get off my rickshaw and escape. Many others were not so lucky.”
According to Munna, a spark from an electrical transformer had fallen onto a truck loaded with gas cylinders, causing the blast. When the flames reached Wahid Mansion, the flammable perfume and deodorant canisters in the perfume warehouse intensified the blaze.
Sources from the fire service said the fire moved at high speed and in a wave like manner as the flames were following a trail of gas and chemicals.
Locals said every building in the area contains warehouses and shops on the ground floor. Exits are cramped and streets are narrow, making them difficult to navigate on a normal day, let alone during a fire amid heavy traffic.
“When there are even just two vehicles on the road, there is no room for people to walk. They have to stand and wait for the vehicles to pass. As a result, many people didn’t even have the chance to run away,” Munna said.
